Temperature control for gas water heaters and related methods

• Main Authors: Furmanek, Daniel L, Kopp, John E, Buescher, Thomas P
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.08.2022
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; FLUID HEATERS, e.g. WATER OR AIR HEATERS, HAVING HEATGENERATING MEANS, IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; RANGES; REGULATING; REGULATING OR CONTROLLING COMBUSTION; SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES; VENTILATING; WEAPONS

A processor for a controller of a water heater is configured to receive water heater control parameters and an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater. The processor is also configured to determine whether to enter an anti-stacking control mode or to enter a demand anticipation control mode. In the anti-stacking control mode the processor is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, calculate a burner on delay value and set a second timer with the calculated value, and calculate a reduced activation time. In the demand anticipation control mode the processor is configured to increase the variable offset based on a frequency of the demand anticipation control mode being activated, initiate a call for heat, and control, based on the reduced activation time or the increased offset value, the burner.